At UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, in Montreal, Canada, MMA legend Jose Aldo announced his retirement from professional mixed martial arts following a unanimous decision loss to Aiemann Zahabi.
A Controversial Farewell
The bout was intensely competitive over three rounds. Jose Aldo dominated the first round and landed significant offense in the early part of the third, nearly finishing Zahabi before tiring and succumbing to ground-and-pound late in the final round. The key point of contention arose from the second round, where all three judges—two of whom were from Montreal—scored it in favor of Zahabi, leading to a 29-28 unanimous decision. This sparked backlash from fans and analysts, many of whom argued Aldo had done enough to win. Aldo, visibly disheartened, left his gloves in the octagon, signaling the end of a legendary career.

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A Storied Career
José Aldo’s career is marked by his dominance in the featherweight division. He became the inaugural UFC Featherweight Champion in 2010 after the merger with WEC and successfully defended his title seven times. His reign included notable victories over fighters like Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, and Frankie Edgar. In 2015, Aldo’s title run ended with a 13-second knockout loss to Conor McGregor. He briefly regained the title in 2016 but lost it to Max Holloway during his first defense in his second reign.
After an initial retirement in 2022, Aldo returned to the octagon in 2024, securing a win against Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 and facing Mario Bautista at UFC 307. His final fight against Zahabi at UFC 315 concluded his illustrious career.
Reactions and Legacy
Aldo’s retirement elicited reactions from the MMA community. Former opponents and fellow fighters paid tribute to his career. Max Holloway referred to Aldo as a legend and expressed admiration for his contributions to the sport.
Despite the controversial nature of his final fight, Aldo’s legacy as one of the greatest featherweights in MMA history remains intact. His speed, striking prowess, and resilience have left an indelible mark on the sport.
As Aldo steps away from the octagon, he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of fighters.
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